Mission Summaries
DISCLAIMER: The information posted here comes from the SAR Resource Office, which in turn comes from the mission reports. If you have a concern with this information, please direct your correspondence to the SAR Resource Officer, James Newberry
2007 Missions
2006 Missions
2008 Missions
Missions are posted in order received.
Mission #: 08-01-01
Date: 1/4/2008
Location: Winsor Trail, Santa Fe National Forest
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Atalaya SAR, Mountain Canine Corp, St. John College SAR, Santa Fe SAR
Mission Summary: Subject went for a hike starting near the Winsor Trail near the Santa Fe Ski Area. Before IB was set up the subject had walked out to Tesuque area and was getting a ride.
Mission #: 08-01-02
Date: 1/5/2008
Location: Borrego Trail loop, Santa Fe National Forest
Subject: Male on snowshoes
Teams Responding: Atalaya SAR, Mountain Canine Corp, St. John College SAR, Santa Fe SAR, Los Alamos Aux. Fire Brigade, Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club
Mission Summary: Subject went for a hike on the Borrego Trail loop but took a wrong turn. He called a friend and reported that he was lost. When the ground team found him he was wet and hypothermic. The team got him into dry clothes and gave him warm drinks then walked him back to IB.
Mission #: 08-01-03
Date: 1/6/2008
Location: Santa Fe Watershed S. of Aspen Vista Road
Subject: Male & female on snowboards
Teams Responding: Atalaya SAR, Albuq. Mtn. Rescue, BC ARES, Cibola SAR, LAARC LA Aux Fire Brigade, Mountain Canine Corp, NNMSno-Drift Brkrs, NM SAR Support Team, Santa Fe SAR, St John College SAR, Taos SAR
Mission Summary: Subjects took the Millennium lift to the top of SF Ski area with the intention of snowboarding the Big Tesuque, wrong turn and ended up in the SF Watershed where they spent one night. Hiked out and called 911. Due to the weather, aircraft could not be used. NM National Guard located them on 18/08 and hosted them out of their location.
Mission #: 08-01-04
Date: 3/8/2008
Location: FS Road 24 – Caja del Rio, UTM 0392828 x 3953488
Subject: Male motorcyclist
Teams Responding: Santa Fe SAR
Mission Summary: Subject went for a ride on his motorcycle in the Caja del Rio area and became lost. Got Phase 2 gps info from subject’s mobile phone. Two 4WD vehicles responded to drive to his location. Subject was retrieved and returned to his residence.
Mission #: 08-01-05
Date: 3/26/2008
Location: Pipeline Road near Los Alamos, NM
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Mountain Canine Corp, NNM Sno-Breakers
Mission Summary: Subject left the Pajarito trailhead in Rendija Canyon with plans to follow the trail west of Los Alamos to Pipeline Road. He ran into deep snow and became disoriented – found Pipeline Rd and regained his bearings. His wife intercepted him there and because of darkness they decided to request assistance. LA PD received the call and asked for SAR help. SAR team met the couple with food and water as they were returning to IB.
Mission #: 08-01-06
Date: 4/10/2008
Location: Canyon north of Los Alamos
Subject: Three teenage boys
Teams Responding: Los Alamos Aux. Fire Brigade, Los Alamos Ski Patrol, Mountain Canine Corp.
Mission Summary: Subjects drove their car into the canyon and got it stuck. They started to hike out but got lost. Finally used their cell phone to call LAPD and they got their coordinates. Two members of MCC hiked to the location and brought the boys out.
Mission #: 08-01-08
Date: 4/25/2008
Location: Caja del Rio area, Santa Fe, NM
Subject: Suicidal male
Teams Responding: None
Mission Summary: Subject was reported to be suicidal when mission number was issued. State Police locate his vehicle and found the man deceased.
Mission #: 08-01-09
Date: 5/7/2008
Location: Junction of Winsor and Big Tesuque Trails, Santa Fe, NM
Subject: Two female hikers
Teams Responding: Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club, Santa Fe SAR, St. John SAR
Mission Summary: The subjects went for a short hike and got lost. Called 911 on their cell phone but coordinates were hopelessly off. They were located near where they were camped.
Mission #: 08-01-13
Date: 7/27/2008
Location: La Cueva Canyon near Pecos, NM
Subject: A male and female hiker
Teams Responding: Santa Fe SAR
Mission Summary: Subjects were confused as to direction to car. GPS information from cell phone was used to locate them. They were instructed where to walk and a Game & Fish Officer hiked in and found them.
Mission #: 08-02-01
Date: 1/23/2008
Location: Valmora School northeast of Las Vegas, NM
Subject: Female student
Teams Responding: San Miguel SAR
Mission Summary: Subject was upset at news from home. She ran away from the school unprepared for cold temperatures. She returned on her own before SAR responders could be mobilized.
Mission #: 08-02-02
Date: 7/4/2008
Location: Gascon Trail to Camp Davis, NM
Subject: Three hikers
Teams Responding: San Miguel SAR
Mission Summary: Subjects were hiking up Gascon Trail when two of them stopped at rocky overlook and one continue to the top. After 15-20 minutes the two decided to continue to the summit. The two failed to make contact with the other hiker. Before SAR resources started up the trail, all the hikers were accounted for.
Mission #: 08-04-01
Date: 1/5/2008
Location: Faulkner Canyon in Organ Mountains
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Organ Mtn Tech Rescue, Mesilla Valley SAR, Doña Ana County SAR
Mission Summary: Hiker decided to climb a cliff face and got stranded half way up. SAR responders brought him down.
Mission #: 08-04-02
Date: 2/27/2008
Location: Filmore Canyon Trail UTM 13S0349588 x 3578615
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Doña Ana County SAR, Organ Mtn. Rescue Squad
Mission Summary: Subject was hiking with the Reporting Party on the Filmore Canyon Trail near Dripping Springs Recreational Area. At around 15:30 he attempted to climb up a side waterfall area, slipped and slid down the waterfall injuring his left ankle. The RP hiked out of the Canyon, called subject’s father and State Police. SAR volunteers made contact with subject and transported him to IB via litter where he refused ambulance transport and had his father transport him.
Mission #: 08-04-05
Date: 7/5/2008
Location: Hadley Drive, Las Cruces, NM
Subject: Male resident of Las Cruces
Teams Responding: Mesilla Valley SAR, Organ Mtn Technical Squad, Doña Ana County SAR
Mission Summary: Subject walked away from home after having an argument with his spouse. He made no effort to contact friends of family. He walked to town and rented a motel room for the duration. Subject was spotted by a church group member while driving by the subject’s location. He refuse to return home and after being checked by a nurse, found to be in excellent condition and released on his own free will.
Mission #: 08-05-01
Date: 1/25/2008
Location: Rio Puerco Area, west of Albuquerque
Subject: Male ATV rider
Teams Responding: Bernalillo County ARES, Cibola SAR, NM SAR Support Team
Mission Summary: Subject took new ATV for check out, ventured into the Rio Puerco area and got lost. He called his family to report his situation when the cell phone died. Subject was located unharmed.
Mission #: 08-05-02
Date: 2/10/2008
Location: #90 Little Cloud Road, Torrence County, NM
Subject: Five year old boy
Teams Responding: Albuq Mtn Rescue, Cibola SAR, NM SAR Support, Sandia Search Dogs
Mission Summary: Torrence County S requested assistance in search for 5 year old boy. Initial search of home by SO did not find him, but second search conducted by SO and State Police located the boy under his bed just as FC arrived at IB.
Mission #: 08-05-03
Date: 2/17/2008
Location: Intersection of Cañada del Oso NE and Beargrass Ct.
Subject: 2 male hikers
Teams Responding: Albuq Mtn Rescue, Cibola SAR, NM SAR Support
Mission Summary: Subject hiked from Whitewash Trailhead intending to visit South Peak and then proceed north to the Tram but became stuck in waist-deep snow. They had a GPS and reported their position and after that the GPS stopped working. Subject self-evacuated and came out just north of base at Bear Canyon where they were picked up by SAR team members.
Mission #: 08-05-04
Date: 2/24/2008
Location: La Luz Trail
Subjects: 2 male hikers
Teams Responding:
Mission Summary: Subjects hike the La Luz Trail from the bottom, got stuck near “Y” in trail and called 911. SAR contacted subjects and they said they would push on to the top. Got a call at 18:25 that both were okay and on a tram car down.
Mission #: 08-05-06
Date: 3/23/2008
Location: Embudo Trail
Subject: 6 female hikers
Teams Responding: Albuq Mtn Rescue, BC ARES, NM SAR Support
Mission Summary: 1 adult female & 5 minor females went on a day hike up Embudo Trail planning to hike to Oso Pass and return. Group went off trail and became lost. They were rescued by SAR teams.
Mission #: 08-05-09
Date: 4/9/2008
Location: Ojito Wilderness off Hwy. 550
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Atalaya SAR, BernCounty ARES, BernCounty Mounted SAR, Cibola SAR, La Cueva Volunteer FD, Mountain Canine SAR, NM SAR Dogs, NMSP helicopter, Sandia Search Dogs, Santa Fe SAR
Mission Summary: Subject went hiking in the Cabezon Peak area in the Ojito Wilderness area on 4/9/08. He became disoriented during the afternoon and between 1600 & 1800 hrs he called a family member to tell them he was lost. Teams searched until approx 1800 hrs on 4/10/2008 when the subject walked out to Hwy 550
Mission #: 08-05-13
Date: 5/1/2008
Location: ½ mile up Embudito Trail east of Albuquerque
Subject: Female hiker
Teams Responding: Albuquerque Mountain Rescue, Cibola SAR
Mission Summary: Subject went for a short hike on Embudito Trail. While returning she broke her ankle. When IC arrived AFD had walked subject out and transported her.
Mission #: 08-05-14
Date: 5/31/2008
Location: Tunnel Springs trailhead
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Bernalillo County ARES, Cibola SAR, NM SAR Support
Mission Summary: Subject left vehicle at Tunnel Springs trailhead for a few hour loop hike. Started at 09:00, got lost and called 911 @ 15:00 hr and reached Sandoval County SP. Subject was found safe, checked by RMT, given water and walked out.
Mission #: 08-05-16
Date: 6/15/2008
Location: La Luz Trail
Subject: Female hiker
Teams Responding:
Mission Summary: Callout for 50 years old hiker with broken ankle on La Luz trail bottom. Fire Dept picked up subject and transported before teams responded
Mission #: 08-05-17
Date: 6/15/2008
Location: Southwest of the base of Palomas Peak
Subject: Male hiker, wife and friend
Teams Responding: Albuquerque Mountain Rescue, Bernalillo County ARES, Cibola SAR, NM SAR Support, Sandia Search Dogs
Mission Summary: Subject experiencing chest pains. Deployed teams to contact, assess, stabilize, package for helicopter transport. Helicopter transported subject to St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe.
Mission #: 08-05-16A
Date: 6/22/2008
Location: San Antonio Hot Springs, Jemez Springs, NM
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: La Cueva VFD
Mission Summary: Subject left home and thought to be headed to San Antonio Hot Springs. His mother called LCVFD at 02:00 and asked for help in locating subject. When IC was activated he learned that subject had left the hot springs to return home. Subject got turned around at one point but found the right trail and was headed home. He was in good condition and had no problems
Mission #: 08-05-17
Date: 6/15/2008
Location: Southwest of Palomas Peak
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Albuq Mtn Rescue, BC ARES, Cibola SAR. NMSARSupport, Sandia Search Dogs
Mission Summary: Subject was experiencing chest pains. Teams deployed to contact, asses, stabilize, and package for helicopter transport. Subject was airlifted to St. Vincent Hospital.
Mission #: 08-05-18
Date: 6/22/2008
Location: Rio Puerco area west of Albuquerque
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: NM SAR Support
Mission Summary: NMSP notified of Sandoval County response to report of hiker that had fallen from 100 ft. cliff near Rio Puerco Mine. Deputies with reporting party located subject & evacuated via Careflight. NMSP & volunteers never used
Mission #: 08-07-01
Date: 1/5/2008
Location: New Mexico-Colorado State line above Chama, NM
Subject: Six snowmobilers
Teams Responding: NNM Sno-Breakers
Mission Summary: Two families on snowmobiles reported overdue because of weather conditions (weatherman forecasted one of the worst storms of the season). After two days, a member of one of the families made contact with Colorado State Police dispatch and reported they were all at the Osier train station on the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad.
Mission #: 08-07-02
Date: 1/21/2008
Location: Garcia Park Area, Carson National Forest
Subject: Two snowmobilers
Teams Responding: Taos SAR
Mission Summary: Subject called 911 when his & his wife’s snowmobiles became inoperable in Garcia Park area. He also called a friend. His friends rescued them before SAR resources arrived.
Mission #: 08-07-03
Date: 2/4/2008
Location: Vallecitos Ranch area
Subject: Two males on XC skis
Teams Responding: N. NM SnoBreakers
Mission Summary: Subjects planned to ski from FR 712 to Vallecitos Ranch, got lost in white out snowstorm & dug in for the night (2/3/08).They skied back out to their truck on 2/4/08 and drove to the RP’s then went home to Santa Fe.
Mission #: 08-07-04
Date: 2/4/2008
Location: On road going up 31 mile road
Subject: 3 males in 4WD vehicle
Teams Responding:
Mission Summary: Three men went up for a ride and got stuck, also broke their 4 X 4 and had to walk down the hill.
Mission #: 08-07-05
Date: 3/15/2008
Location: SW of Hopewell Lake
Subject: Male on snowmobile
Teams Responding: N. NM SnoBreakers, Taos SAR
Mission Summary: Subject separated from group while snowmobiling @ 16:30 hrs. Group searched until dark. Organized search started the next morning. Subject was located in a cabin (spent the night there with a fire). Subject was uninjured, his snow machine broke down.
Mission #: 08-07-06
Date: 3/28/2008
Location: Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
Subject: Male climber
Teams Responding: Atalaya SAR, Taos SAR
Mission Summary:
Subject attempted to climb down to the river on west side. He broke his ankle (cause unknown) on ledge 400 feet below rim and 200 yds. north of bridge. Yelled for help. Teams assembled but never launched as subject was extracted by NM National Guard Blackhawk and flown to Holy Cross Hospital
Mission #: 08-07-08
Date: 6/13/2008
Location: Middle Fork, Santa Barbara Trail, Carson National Forest
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Angel Fire SAR, Rio Arriba Sheriff’s Posse, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Posse, Santa Fe SAR, Taos SAR
Mission Summary: Subject was reported to have died of a heart attack while hiking with his friends. Teams were called to retrieve his body. The horses could not bring him out due to the narrow trail so ground pounders were called in to help.
Mission #: 08-07-09
Date: 6/28/2008
Location: Española, NM
Subject: Female patient
Teams Responding: None
Mission Summary: Subject, report to be unstable, had escaped from EMTs at the hospital, jumped fence and disappeared into the night. Hospital security was unable to follow her. After consulting with the AC it was decided that this was not a mission for SAR
Mission #: 08-07-10
Date: 7/11/2008
Location: Borrego Trail in the Santa Fe National Forest
Subject: 2 BS leaders and 14 Boy Scouts
Teams Responding: Atalaya SAR, Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club, Mountain Canine Corp, Philmont SAR, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Posse, Santa Fe SAR, Taos SAR
Mission Summary: 14 boy scouts with 2 leaders reported overdue at Frank Rand Boy Scout Camp. The party had split into two groups of 11 and 3. The group of 11 was found by responders on their way to the camp. The adult in the group of 3 was injured and could not walk out. The three were airlifted by NM National Guard helicopter and transported to Santa Fe.
Mission #: 08-08-01
Date: 2/28/2008
Location: Alamogordo Civic Center
Subject: Female patron
Teams Responding: Alamogordo SAR, Chaves County SAR, Mesilla Valley SAR, White Mountain SAR
Mission Summary: The subject went to use the restroom in the Civic Center; lights were turned out at about 22:00 on 2/28/08. Subject stayed in restroom until found on 2/29/08 at 5:35. Attempts by PD and IC to get the Civic Center opened up during the night were unsuccessful.
Mission #: 08-09-02
Date: 6/1/2008
Location: Ft. Sumner Lake
Subject: Male swimmer
Teams Responding: None
Mission Summary: Mission number should never have been issued. Incident immediately turned over to NMSP Dive Team
Mission #: 08-11-01
Date: 3/16/2008
Location: Forest Road 330, San Mateo Mountains, Cibola National Forest
Subject: Two vehicle occupants
Teams Responding: Catron County SAR
Mission Summary: Subject 1 called daughter by cell phone, asked her to advise State Police they were stuck (car) in snow bank and she was walking out to get help. Son-in-law with 4WD vehicle picked up the subject and drove up the mountain to pull the stuck vehicle out. IC met subjects coming down mountain @ 19:45
Mission #: 08-11-03
Date: 4/20/2008
Location:
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Catron County SAR
Mission Summary: Subject went for a hike on 4/19/08. When he did not return at the appointed time, friends went to look for him. They found no sign of subject and called NM SAR. Subject returned to home on his own.
Mission #: 08-11-04
Date: 4/22/2008
Location: Snowgate at Trail Head SR 159
Subject: Male hunter
Teams Responding: Apache Rescue Team, Catron County SAR
Mission Summary: Subject’s girl friend reported subject overdue from turkey hunt. Vehicle was parked at trail he was to take. IC was enroute when advised that subject walked out to vehicle.
Mission #: 08-11-05
Date: 5/26/2008
Location: Monticello Point Boat Ramp
Subject: Two male boaters
Teams Responding: NMSP 606
Mission Summary: Subjects reported overdue on river between Escondida and N. Elephant Butte. SP 606 was to search area the following morning and boat officer was to search from exit point north. Subjects exited lake as the boat officer was prepping to leave.
Mission #: 08-11-06
Date: 5/28/2008
Location:
Subjects: Three hikers, 1 male and 2 females
Teams Responding: Apache Rescue Team, Catron County SAR
Mission Summary: Hikers ran out of water and the man decided to walk back to the car and return to designated area to meet the others. When he returned to the area they were not there. He phoned 911 to get assistance. Mission was established and while teams were enroute, he returned to the area and saw a fire that was started by the others.
Mission #: 08-11-07
Date: 6/1/2008
Location: Rainy Mesa Ranch in Catron County
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Apache Rescue Team, Catron County SAR
Mission Summary: Three hikers became separated while returning to vehicles. Two spent the night in their vehicles and the other camped out. The subject walked out in the morning.
Mission #: 08-11-08
Date: 7//2008
Location: Northwest of Reserve, NM Cemetery
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding:
Mission Summary: Subject left home for church at 10:30, when spouse went to pick him up she was informed that he never arrived. Subject was spotted by USFS helicopter at the cemetery where he had fallen. He was alert and oriented with superficial abrasions on head and elbow. He was transferred to Reserve Ambulance at 18:30.
Mission #: 08-12-01
Date: 1/29/2008
Location: Near Silver City, NM
Subject: Three campers
Teams Responding: Grant County SAR
Mission Summary: Subjects were stranded by a washed out bridge. SAR resources evacuated them by litter and high-line across the section of washed out highway. They were transported to Silver City.
Mission #: 08-12-02
Date: 2/6/2008
Location: North of Fort Bayard Hospital
Subject: Male hiker
Teams Responding: Grant County SAR
Mission Summary: Subject and RP became separated during a hike along a creek bed. RP tried locating the subject but could not find him. She returned home and called for help. SP activated SAR. A phone call to 911 center in Silver City reported a suspicious man walking along FS Rd 536. Responders sent to location and located subject, he was evaluated by EMS and found to be intoxicated.
Mission #: 08-12-04
Date: 6/18/2008
Location: Mule Creek NM
Subject: One male hiker
Teams Responding: BORSTAR, Catron County SAR, Cibola SAR, Doña Ana County SAR, Greenlee County SAR, Grant County SAR, Luna County SAR, Mesilla Valley SAR, NM SAR Support, Organ Mtn Tech Rescue, Sandia Search Dogs, Socorro County SAR
Mission Summary: Subject with two companions went into the area to located “hidden/lost gold stash” when the subject became dehydrated and disoriented. The two companions went for help but upon returning with EMS he could not be located. SAR responders were unable to locate the subject and no clues were discovered. The mission was suspended.
Mission #: 08-20-02
Date: 2/10/2008
Location: Stahman Farm’s airstrip
Subject: ELT
Teams Responding: Mesilla Valley SAR
Mission Summary: ELT was reported from 4 locations. It was located on airstrip at Stahman Farms
Mission #: 08-20-03
Date: 2/11/2008
Location: Las Cruces Airport
Subject: ELT
Teams Responding: Mesilla Valley SAR
Mission Summary: 6 ELT signals were reported and ELT was located in an aircraft on the runway at Las Cruces Airport
Mission #: 08-20-13
Date: 3/24/2008
Location: Private Land UTM 309209 x 3656542
Subject: ELT
Teams Responding: Catron County SAR, Mesilla Valley SAR
Mission Summary: ELT search team went to coordinates received from satellite – finding aircraft in hanger on private land and cockpit locked. We contacted owner of ranch who had keys to aircraft and he drove to hanger. A member of search team turned ELT off.